UK: IAA changes competence assessment and registration process

September 27, 2026 · WOWERI

On September 23, 2026 the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) announced an overhaul of competence assessments and adviser registration. Assessments are paused and expected to resume from November 2026; the new syllabi add a mandatory ethics component.

What changed in the IAA competence assessment?

• Online assessments are suspended until November 2026; resumption depends on external factors.
• New syllabi for all levels (1‑3 immigration, 2‑3 asylum) shift from knowledge‑based to competency‑based.
• A separate Ethics and Standards Code block is added; each section must be passed.
• The traditional paper resource book is removed – candidates will use approved websites during the exam.
• Exam frequency increases: Level 1 – every 2 weeks (previously monthly), Levels 2‑3 – every 8 weeks (previously quarterly).
• The assessment now comes first: candidates must pass it before being added to an organisation's application or setting up their own regulated practice.
• The technical part remains, with a break before the new ethics block.

Who does this affect?

• Candidates seeking IAA registration, whether they have already applied or are planning to.
• Candidates who have already applied for registration: the IAA will contact them about their options.
• Regulated organisations, which can add new advisers to an application only after they have passed the assessment.

What does this mean for Russian‑ and Ukrainian‑speaking immigration consultants?

If you are preparing for the exam, you will need to study new ethics topics, the Standards Code and current legal sources, including primary and secondary law, application routes and work with vulnerable clients. More frequent exam dates require a flexible study schedule, and access to online resources during the test demands solid familiarity with up‑to‑date legal databases.

What should you do now?

1. Follow IAA announcements (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iaa-announces-changes-to-the-competence-assessment-process) – dates will be posted after confirmation.
2. If you have already applied, await a letter from IAA with guidance on the new syllabi.
3. If you plan to apply, start preparing for the new syllabi: study ethics, the Standards Code, modern slavery, domestic violence, statelessness and human rights.
4. Identify a potential IAA‑regulated organisation and agree employment terms before the exam.
5. If needed, consult a licensed immigration lawyer or a preparation centre specialising in the new requirements.

Which dates are important?

• Expected resumption of online assessments: November 2026 (subject to external factors).
• Post‑resumption exam frequency: Level 1 – every 2 weeks; Levels 2‑3 – every 8 weeks.
• The date for changing the organisation‑application process is not yet announced – monitor official IAA communications.
• New syllabi are already published and available for download; study them immediately.

Original source

• IAA announces changes to the competence assessment process – official UK government news release.
• Additional materials: guidance, new syllabi and change summaries, links in the original post.

*The material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.*

Source: freemovement.org.uk